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UPDATED: EVACUATION ORDER Issued for Nelway Area, EVACUATION ALERT now includes Shambhala Music Festival after McCormick Creek Wildfire jumps Salmo River

by Nelson Daily Staff on Friday Aug 11 2017

The almost 15,000 festival goers at the Shambhala Music Festival have now been put on an Evacuation Alert. (Below) the map shows the affect areas due to the McCormick Creek Wildfire.

In a media release Saturday morning, the Regional District of Central Kootenay Emergency Operations Centrel reports that BC Wildfire said the McCormick Creek wildfire has jumped the Salmo River toward the Shambhala Music Festival and is also moving in an easterly direction towards the community of Nelway.

“The fire is now approximately 250 hectares in size and is behaving unpredictably,” the RDCK EOC release said.

“BC Wildfire has advised the RDCK EOC that the area of Nelway be put on Evacuation Order immediately to protect residents from the wildfire in the vicinity.”

The RDCK said BC Wildfire has also advised that the current active Evacuation Alert area be expanded to include the Shambhala Music Festival.

“BC Wildfire, RCMP, and RDCK are strongly advising that due to the fire increasing in size and threatening properties in the area, that Shambhala Music Festival goers should ensure they leave adequate time to return home safely,” the release said.

DriveBC said Highway 6 heading south from the junction at Highway 3 has been closed in both directions from the Canada/USA border due to the wildfire.

The attached map below indicates the area of the EVACUATION ORDER.

The area includes:

Bear Rd

Pend D’Oreille Rd

Rosebud Lake Rd

Talbot Rd

McCormick Creek Rd

8 Properties on Highway 6

All affected properties are being visited by the RCMP to ensure this information is being delivered to property owners.

BC Wildfire Serives has 37 firefighters, four helicopters and six pieces of heavy equipment assigned to the fire.

The RDCK EOC will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

For updates on the current McCormick Creek wildfire situation, visit the RDCK website.

Two properties on Evacuation Order due to McCormick Creek Wildfire

Two properties in the McCormick Creek/Rosebud Lake area have been put on Evacuation Order as precautionary measures due to concerns for access and egress from the McCormick Creek wildfire the Regional District of Central Kootenay Emergency Operations Centre said in a media release Friday.

“All affected properties are being visited by the RCMP to ensure this information is being delivered to property owners,” the RDCK media release said.

“BC Wildfire crews continue to work in the area,” the release added.

“At this time there is no Evacuation Alert or Order issued for the Shambhala Music Festival or the Village of Salmo.”

BC Wildfire Service continue to pour the resources at the 100 hectare McCormick Creek fire located 20 kilometers south of Salmo in the Pend d'Oreille area.

Currently 37 firefighters are battling the blaze from the ground with the assistance to four helicopters and six pieces of heavy equipment.

“Today crews are focusing efforts on establishing guard on the south and east flanks,” the BC Wildfire website said.

Of course, the main concern is evacuation the almost 15,000 of festival goers to the Shambhala Music Festival should the wildfire spread north toward the site of the event.

Meanwhile, closer to Nelson the Harrop Creek Wildfire remains at an estimated size of 2,136.0 hectares. There are now a total of 110 firefighters, four helicopters and three pieces of heavy equipment

"Crews continue to build guard with the aid of heavy equipment and helicopters," the BC Wildfire website said. "Crews work to continue to contain movement towards the north."

The RDCK EOC will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

In order for residents to receive instant texts and voicemails in the event of an evacuation order, the are asked to signed up for the RDCK Emergency Alert System by visiting www.rdck.ca.